Sumukha

Sumukha
Sumukha in 2026
Born9 September
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
EducationThe Valley School
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Writer
  • Director
Years active2017–present
Spouse
Maitri Uka
​
(m. 2026)​
Parent(s)Shashi Kumar (father)
Nanditha Yadav (mother)

Sumukha (born 9 September) is an Indian actor, writer and director working primarily in Kannada cinema. He is known for his roles in the films Yaanaa (2019), Physics Teacher (2022), and Manada Kadalu (2025).

Early life and background

Sumukha was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka to actor Shashi Kumar and filmmaker Nanditha Yadav. He began his acting journey at the age of 6, appearing as a child actor in films, television, and theatre productions. Growing up in a family rooted in the performing arts, he developed a strong foundation in acting and storytelling from an early age. After completing his schooling at The Valley School in Bengaluru, he relocated to Mumbai, Maharashtra to further develop his acting skills and pursue professional opportunities in theatre and film.

Theatre career

Sumukha began performing in theatre in Bengaluru, Karnataka, continuing until Grade 12. He later moved to Mumbai, Maharashtra, where he spent nearly eight years performing live theatre, primarily in Hindi, to prepare for a career in films. Sumukha has performed in theatre productions at venues including Prithvi Theatre and National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai, as well as Ranga Shankara and Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bengaluru, contributing to his early development as an actor.

Film career

Sumukha made his acting debut with the Kannada coming-of-age drama Yaanaa (2019), in which he played a central role. A review by Bangalore Mirror noted that he "impresses the most" among the cast. In 2022, Sumukha appeared in Physics Teacher, a philosophical drama that he also wrote and directed. The film was selected for the Bengaluru International Film Festival. Among his other early projects was Rajasthan Diaries, directed by Nanditha Yadav and filmed in 2019. The film remained unreleased as of 2024.

Sumukha subsequently appeared in Manada Kadalu directed by Yogaraj Bhat, which marked his move into mainstream commercial cinema. The film was described as a significant milestone in his career by critics, earning him recognition as a leading actor in Kannada cinema. In an interview, he shared that the project enabled him to embrace a broader audience while continuing to uphold his artistic sensibilities.

In 2026, Sumukha was announced as the lead in My Baby, directed by Preetham Gubbi. His other announced projects include Ganapati Bappa Morya, a political thriller directed by Sanjay KK. and an untitled comedy directed by Pannaga Bharana.

Television

Sumukha has appeared in Hindi-language teleplays presented by Zee Theatre, including Agnipankh, Shobha Yatra, Vaastav and Shadyantra.

Personal life

In February 2026, Sumukha married Maitri Uka, an architect from Mumbai, in a private ceremony in Rishikesh.

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title Role(s) Language Notes Ref.
2000 Munnudi Young Unnisa Kannada
2017 Raju Karnataka State Film Award for Best Story
2019 Yaanaa Varun
2022 Physics Teacher Badri Also writer and director
Official BIFFES selection
2025 Manada Kadalu Sumukha
TBA Rajasthan Diaries † Ved Kannada, Marathi Filmed in 2019; unreleased
2026 My Baby † Preetham Kannada Filming
2027 Ganapati Bappa Morya † Maya Kannada, Malayalam Filming
TBA Untitled † Kannada Pannaga Bharana film in Production

Television

Year Title Role(s) Language Notes Ref.
2017 Agnipankh Yashwant Hindi Teleplay on Zee Theatre
2018 Shobha Yatra Babu Genu
Vaastav
2022 Shadyantra Shashank

Theatre

Year Title Role(s) Language Notes Ref.
2018 Janpath Kiss Hindi Assistant director
2019 Hamidabai Ki Kothi Assistant director

Web Series

Year Title Role(s) Language Notes Ref.
2021 Namma Oorina Rasikaru Kannada

Awards and nominations

Award Year Category Work Result Ref.
Chittara Star Awards 2026 Promising Star Male Manada Kadalu Won
Best Lead Pair Of The Year Nominated
South Indian International Movie Awards SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut – Kannada Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Sumukha speaks about Physics Teacher at BIFFES. YouTube. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  2. ↑ "Sumukha nurtures the writer in him during the lockdown". The Times of India. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Karnataka State Film Awards 2016". The Times of India. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 "Physics Teacher marks the directorial debut of actor Sumukha". The New Indian Express. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "I want roles that challenge traditional masculinity: Sumukha". The Times of India. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  6. 1 2 Laisram, Romal (1 November 2025). "Kannada Rajyotsava with Sandalwood actor Sumukha: Celebrating cultural pride!". Indulge Express. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 November 2025.
  7. ↑ "No resolutions, just clarity, says Sumukha on his year ahead". The Times of India. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Yaanaa movie: Sumukha's debut". Daijiworld. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  9. ↑ "Yaanaa movie review: This flick is unusual for a Kannada film". Bangalore Mirror. 14 July 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  10. ↑ "Physics Teacher explores the subject of reality vs illusion". OTTPlay. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  11. ↑ "Physics Teacher trailer: A tale of bonafide science and rationality that turns on its head to become a thriller". OTTPlay. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  12. ↑ "Rajasthan Diaries to be dubbed in Telugu and Hindi". The Times of India. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  13. ↑ "Sumukha: With Manada Kadalu, there is no looking back". The New Indian Express. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  14. 1 2 "Manada Kadalu review: Yogaraj Bhat's romance marks a slow but sure return to form". The News Minute. 29 March 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  15. ↑ "Manada Kadalu review: Yogaraj Bhat's comeback film". The Hindu. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  16. ↑ "Sumukha: Manada Kadalu has allowed me to enter that commercial space". Cinema Express. 23 December 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  17. ↑ "Sumukha to play lead opposite Esha Lankesh in Preetham Gubbi's next". Cinema Express. 8 September 2026. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
  18. ↑ "There's a dreamy boy in me who has always loved love stories: Sumukha". The Times of India. 21 September 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  19. ↑ "It is going to be a colourful year with a new slate of films: Sumukha". The New Indian Express. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  20. 1 2 "Makers of political thriller Ganapathi Bappa Moriya drop interesting first look". Cinema Express. 15 September 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  21. 1 2 "I no longer want to play it safe as an actor: Sumukha Kumar". The Times of India. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  22. ↑ "Parul Yadav returns to Kannada films with Pannaga Bharana's new comedy". Cinema Express. 26 July 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  23. 1 2 "Matriarch with the iron fist". The Hindu. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  24. 1 2 "Experience patriotic fervour with these stirring films and teleplays". Deccan Chronicle. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  25. 1 2 A Knock at Midnight Turned Deadly. YouTube. Zee Theatre. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
  26. 1 2 "Hina Khan, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Kunaal Roy Kapur to star in murder mystery Shadyantra". The Times of India. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  27. ↑ "Sumukha marries long-time girlfriend; Kannada actor ties knot with Maitri Uka; private ceremony held in Rishikesh". The Times of India. 6 April 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  28. ↑ "Actor Sumukha marries Maitri Uka in an intimate Rishikesh ceremony by the Ganges". Cinema Express. 5 April 2026.
  29. ↑ "Shooting for Rajasthan Diaries to kickstart on Ugadi". The New Indian Express. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  30. ↑ "First look of Preetham Gubbi's My Baby is out". The New Indian Express. 14 October 2026. Retrieved 18 October 2026.
  31. ↑ "Namma Oorina Rasikaru Season 1 Review: A simple, quirky and entertaining tale". The Times of India. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  32. ↑ "Gorur literary classic now a web series on Katte". Deccan Herald. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  33. ↑ "Nominees – Chittara Star Awards". Chittara News. Retrieved 31 March 2026.